Since the space shuttle inception, the major breakthrough in the space fields has been the use of small satellites. Small satellites are revolutionizing the way we solve the problems on the earth. Thanks to miniaturization of the electronic components, tasks which needed hundreds of kgs of satellite is been possible by 3-5 kg satellites. Apart from the industry, major fueling factor of the innovation in the small satellites has been due to active participation of universities in designing, building and launching small satellite. Small satellites are enough complicated to challenge university students as well as feasible to be done at their level to get them excited as well as has numerous real life applications. Small satellite being the interdisciplinary project, it requires systematic design process for the successful completion. Decisions taken at the conceptual design phase decides the 80% cost and time requirements of the project. System engineering along with prior experience ensures the minimum problems and design changes in the later stages of the project. Systems engineering becomes very interesting and important for this type of multidisciplinary projects becauses things like thinking about requirement of handling the satellite at the final integration needs to be thought of well at the start of the design. University projects encounters uncommon problem of students coming in and going out of the team. Also juggling between academics and project related activities becomes additional challenge for the leaders of the projects. InSpace Labs has extensive experience of working for university satellite while working for the IIT Bombay satellite named Pratham. Problems faced during the 8 long years, working with ISRO and finally launch with PSLV C35 equipped the team with technical as well as non technical experience of the university small satellites. 

Benefits of the InSpace Labs to university satellites

• Direction to start the project or revive the project
  
• Design and testing related procedure at the start of the project
• Systems engineering and project management related guidance
• First hand experience of design and launching of satellite
• Help in avoiding the design and testing related mistakes in the early stages of the project
• Lessons learnt while buiding Pratham and working in aerospace field

Our strength in the small satellite consultancy especially university satellites are

• Design and systems engineering of the satellite
• Project management and team building 
• Subsystem design and testing
• Experience of dealing with ISRO
• Launch and mission related parameters